Cuff link protector

ABSTRACT

In combination with a cuff link having a stud extending downwardly from the back of the face plate of the cuff link, with the stub adapted to extend through a cuff button hole, means for securing the stud of the cuff link with respect to the cuff button hole, said means comprising a first manually operable selectively openable clasp removably secured to said stud beneath the face plate of the cuff link, and a second manually operable clasp connected to said first clasp via a flexible member such as a chain or the like, with the second clasp manually operable and selectively securable to the stud on the opposite side of the cuff of said first clasp.

United States Patent Feldman 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] CUFF LINK PROTECTOR [72] Inventor: Samuel Feldman, 20 Canterbury Road, Great Neck, NY. 11023 [22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 101,924

[52] US. Cl ..24/90.5 [51] Int. Cl. ..A44b 1/18 [58] Field of Search ..24/90.5

[56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,057,532 4/1913 Elliott ..24/90.5 1,494,751 5/1924 Landis ..24/90.5 1,598,576 8/1926 Harbenicht ..24/90.5 3,405,428 10/1968 Spalding ..24/90.5

Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Att0meyRobert W. Fiddler [57] ABSTRACT In combination with a cuff link having a stud extending downwardly from the back of the face plate of the cuff link, with the stub adapted to extend through a cuff button hole, means for securing the stud of the cuff link with respect to the cuff button hole, said means comprising a first manually operable selectively openable clasp removably secured to said stud beneath the face plate of the cut? link, and a second manually operable clasp connected to said first clasp via a flexible member such as a chain or the like, with the second clasp manually operable and selectively securable to the stud on the opposite side of the cuff of said first clasp.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDsEP" 5 m2 3.688350 INVENTOR SAMUEL FELDMAN ATTORNEY.

CUFF LINK PROTECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of cuff links, and more particularly to an improved cuff link, or attachment therefore serving to prevent inadvertent loss of the cuff link when worn.

A wide variety of cuff links have been evolved generally comprising a face plate bearing desired decorative indicia, jewels, or the like decorative surface treatment, with the rear of the face plate secured to a cufl button hole threading member such as a stud, or the like adapted to the threaded or extended through the cuff button hole from one side of the cuff to the other. Locking means, in the form of a keeper bar, or a mating lower face plate, are positioned on the threading member to secure the cuff link in desired position in the cuff button hole. It is often found, however, that in the course of normal wear, the locking member such as a keeper bar, is often jostled out of a transverse locking position, or the mating face plate is displaced, so that the cuff link is no longer retained on the cuff, and is lost.

The prior art has recognized the aforedescribed problem, and in patents such as Keton US. Pat. No. 1,384,526, Habenicht US. Pat. No. 1,598,576, and in applicants prior US. Pat. No. 3,418,699, a variety of cuff link securing means have been evolved to minimize the possibility of inadvertent loss of the cuff link. The problem with the prior art developments is that the securing means once combined with a cuff link, require the use of tools to change the securing means from one cuff link to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is with the above considerations in mind that the present improved construction has been evolved providing in combination with a cuff link, a securing member which can be selectively transferred from one cuff link to another providing means insuring retention of the cuff link in desired operative position with respect to a cuff button hole in a cuff.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved cuff link construction in which simple manually operable selectively positionable means are provided for securing the cuff link in operative position to prevent inadvertent loss of the cuff link.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cuff link protector of a relatively simple inexpensive nature which can be selectively and manually applied to anyone of a variety of different cuff links.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cuff link protector which may be positioned or removed from a cuff link by simple manual manipulation, but once applied is securely attached to the cuff link.

These and other objects of the invention, which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by forming a securement member with a manually actuable first locking hasp joined to a manually actuable second locking hasp by a flexible connection such as a chain or the like. The hasps when engaged are of a type not subject to opening except by manual manipulation. In use the first hasp is secured to the portion of the cuff link threaded through the cuff button hole, the flexible connection is trained over the edge of the cuff, and the second half is secured to the threading member of the cuff link on the opposite side of the cuff.

A feature of the invention resides in the use of conventionallyavailable normally locked hasps with spring pressed locking detents which may readily be opened or closed by manual manipulation, but once closed, remain closed until selectively opened by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be described in clear, concise, and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking at the face plate of a cuff link of the conventional keeper bar type made in accordance with the teachings of this invention, showing the protective member attached to the stud of the cuff link;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking at the back of the face plate of the cuff link, with the keeper bar oriented in a holding position; and

FIG. 3 is an end view of a cuff showing the cuff link with the protector in operative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts. The cuff link 10 is illustratively shown as formed of a conventional keeper bar construction, with the cuff link 10 provided with a conventional face plate 11. A variety of different types of button hole entering stud constructions may be employed. However, as illustrated, the stud 12 is formed by two spaced struts 14 and 15, which for fabrication purposes may be readily stamped from a sheet of material in the illustrated U-shaped configuration, with the base of the U secured to a pivot connection 16 on the rear 17 of the face plate 11, as best seen in FIG. 2. Pivotally mounted between the free ends of the struts l4 and 15 of stud 12 is the keeper bar 18 mounted for rotation between the struts 14 and 15 so as to permit pivoting of the keeper bar 18 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2.

According to the invention, a manually openable hasp 20 with a spring pressed detent 21, subject to manipulation by means of handle 22 is employed as a first hasp member adapted for securement to the threading member of the cuff link shown to be stud 12. As illustrated, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, using a double strut stud construction, is is preferred that the hasp be secured to one of the struts 15.

of one ply of the cuff, and around back to the other stud strut 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

OPERATION In use, the aforedescribed cuff link is employed in conventional fashion by orienting the keeper bar 18 into alignment with the stud 12 so that the keeper bar 18 and stud 12 may readily be threaded through the conventional cuff button hole of the sleeves as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Prior to insertion of the stud through the cuff button hole, the first hasp 2.0 is secured to the stud 12 beneath the face plate 11 of the cuff link 10. Thereafter, the stud is inserted through the cuff button hole, the keeper bar 18 is pivoted to the locking orientation illustrated in FIG. 2, and the second hasp 30 is secured to the stud sandwiched between the cuff plies remote from the first hasp 20.

It is thus seen that a simple relatively inexpensive construction has been provided preventing advertent loss of a cuff link. Thus in using the keeper bar type cuff link illustrated, should the keeper bar inadvertently be aligned with the threading stud, loss of the cuff link will be prevented by virtue of the fact that the hasps 20 and 30 still serve to securely maintain the cuff link in desired position. The construction is not only inexpensive to fabricate, but is simple to use and does not interfere with the decorative qualities of the cuff link and may perhaps enhance same.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination with a cuff link having a face plate; a U-shaped stud having two spaced struts defining the legs of the U and a base pivotally connected to the rear of said face plate, said struts adapted to extend through a cuff button hole; means for securing the stud of the cuff link with respect to the cuff button hole, said means comprising a first manually operable selectively openable positively locking hasp member removably secured to one of the struts of said stud on one side of the cufi button hole; an elongate flexible member secured to said first hasp member and of a length to extend from the stud over the side edge of the cut? with which employed and back to the stud; and a second manually openable hasp member on the end of said flexible member remote from said first hasp member and removably secured to one of the struts of said stud on the side of the cuff opposite to said first hasp member.

2. In a combination as in 1, in which said hasp member comprises: a spring pressed detent; and a handle on said detent permitting opening of said hasp member by displacing said detent. 

1. In combination with a cuff link having a face plate; a Ushaped stud having two spaced struts defining the legs of the U and a base pivotally connected to the rear of said face plate, said struts adapted to extend through a cuff button hole; means for securing the stud of the cuff link with respect to the cuff button hole, said means comprising a first manually operable selectively openable positively locking hasp member removably secured to one of the struts of said stud on one side of the cuff button hole; an elongate flexible member secured to said first hasp member and of a length to extend from the stud over the side edge of the cuff with which employed and back to the stud; and a second manually openable hasp member on the end of said flexible member remote from said first hasp member and removably secured to one of the struts of said stud on the side of the cuff opposite to said first hasp member.
 2. In a combination as in 1, in which said hasp member comprises: a spring pressed detent; and a handle on said detent permitting opening of said hasp member by displacing said detent. 